Budgie

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈbʌd͡ʒi/

Definitions

1. A small, domesticated bird noted for its vibrant feathers and social behavior, frequently kept as a pet for companionship and interaction
2. This type of brightly colored parakeet is cherished for its lively personality and ability to engage with humans, making it a favored choice for pet owners
3. A small, colorful parakeet known for its cheerful nature and sociability, often raised in captivity as a companion animal

Etymology: "Budgie" is a clipping of "budgerigar," the name of the small Australian parrot, shortened by adding the diminutive suffix "-ie." Budgerigar itself comes from an Aboriginal Australian word, "gijirrigaa" or similar forms recorded in the Sydney region, which early European settlers rendered in various spellings. The bird was known to English speakers by the longer name first, and the shortened form grew out of everyday speech, the way many English nicknames are made by trimming a long word and adding "-ie" or "-y." The suffix does the affectionate work here. Attaching "-ie" to a word for a small creature turns a technical name into a pet name, and the bird is now more often called a budgie than a budgerigar. The clipping is a familiar pattern in English, as with "hippo" from "hippopotamus" and "telly" from "television," where a shortened form signals comfort and familiarity.

Synonyms: parakeet, bird